October 7, 2002
In the Lord's will
___What a joy to see the article about my good friend Fred Sain (Sept. 23). We have been friends for 51 of the 53 years he has served as pastor of Prairie Hill Baptist Church.
___Fred is not only a good man, but he is an excellent preacher. Not all the good preachers are in the big churches.
___I have heard Fred preach many times. I have never heard him preach a dud. He is always fresh and feeds his flock.
___He holds several degrees from Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary. He could have preached in the largest pulpits in the land, but he felt led to stay in a small church in a rural community. I have heard him say many times that he stayed so long because God put him there and kept him there, and he was happy to be in the Lord's will.
___I don't suppose he was ever invited to preach at the Evangelism Conference or state convention, but had he been, we would all have been blessed.
___ Glen C. Smith
___ Sundown
Lead by example
___Critics of the proposed Baptist General Convention of Texas missions budget changes (Sept. 16) should consider the example of their leadership.
___The church pastored by the Southern Baptist Convention president had income of $29 million--reported in both BGCT and Southern Baptists of Texas Convention 2001 annuals--and contributed $650,000 (2.24 percent) through the Cooperative Program, with total missions giving of $1.2 million (4.13 percent). Certainly every church has the privilege of choosing its amount of missions giving, but since each member is encouraged to give at least 10 percent of total income to the local church, shouldn't the church give at least that same amount to missions?
___Considering the fact the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's budget has increased from $1,437,455 in 1996 to $3,463,654 in 2001--five years, 140.96 percent--it's not difficult to understand their desire for increased funds. How many Texas churches have increased their budgets by 140.96 percent in the last five years?
___Some of the SBC leadership is suggesting that Texas churches support the SBTC since they pass on a larger percent of income to the SBC. But who is accepting responsibility for the 10 million-plus unchurched folks in Texas? Jesus' last statement to the disciples (Acts 1:8) demanded they do missions everywhere, beginning where they live.
___As Texas Baptists, let us support the multiple missions ministries God has given so that Texas will continue to be a mission base as well as a mission field. God, help us to lead as Jesus did, by example.
___ Bill Roe
___ Cleburne
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook